Nutritionist talks about the dangers of frequent consumption of protein bars

0

Nutritionist says he will “never” eat them.

While a healthy diet is full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein, it can be too much of a good thing. Most of us consume more protein than we need.

“I never eat protein bars. They tend to be highly processed and contain a lot of additives of unknown benefit,” says the nutritionist.

Most adults need about 0.75 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day. To achieve this level of protein, you can eat two servings of meat, fish, nuts or tofu daily.

“We often eat more protein than recommended. A diet high in meat is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers, and can also shorten your life.”

While protein bars are far from meaty, better protein alternatives include:

• Peas
• Beans
• Lentils.

Accordingly, the doctor said that healthier alternatives to protein bars include nuts, pumpkin seeds, or peanut butter.

Some protein bars can be high in calories and contain a lot of added sugar.

Healthy Snacks

The nutritionist says that fruit and vegetable snacks are “always the best choice”; some recommendations include:

• Yogurt with tangerine slices
• Sweet peas with low-fat hummus
• Avocado and boiled egg puree
• Pepper and low-fat hummus.

For those who are short on time, plain rice cakes can be a good choice.

“If you buy other snacks from the shelf, pay attention to the packaging and nutrition labels, which can also help you make healthier choices,” the doctor says.

What are the side effects of taking too much protein powder?

As with most things in life, you can get too much of a good thing. The biggest problem with overdosing on protein is that it can lead to an amino acid imbalance and interfere with the body’s ability to properly utilize other nutrients. This can increase the risk of muscle loss, fatigue, and weakness.

Studies have shown that high doses of protein can increase the risk of kidney damage. People with pre-existing kidney disease or impaired kidney function should be especially careful with protein powder and consult a doctor before taking it.

“Overconsumption of protein powder can cause a number of other side effects, including digestive discomfort such as bloating, gas, and constipation, as well as an increased risk of dehydration, since water is needed to digest protein and eliminate waste products,” the doctor explains.